The Little Savoyard c. 1825

Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps created "The Little Savoyard" using etching, a printmaking technique that uses acid to corrode the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design. Here, a young boy from Savoy, a region known for its poverty, leans against a wall with his musical instruments and performing animals. In 19th century France, it was common for children from impoverished regions to travel to urban centers to work as street performers or laborers. Decamps often depicted scenes of everyday life, reflecting an interest in Realism, a movement that sought to portray the world honestly, without romanticism or idealization. However, the boy's dignified posture contrasts with his circumstances, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of childhood, poverty, and social mobility in 19th century France. It suggests an awareness of the realities of labor and the resilience of those who navigated it.